PNC PARK Pirates cool Astros; Stairs HR finds river

Houston had won 10 of its past 11 games.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Houston Astros have won nine of 15 against Pittsburgh, yet probably won't be disappointed to play the Pirates for the final time this season.
The Astros have been the NL's hottest team this side of Atlanta the last three weeks -- except when they play the Pirates.
The Pirates turned a three-run first inning, Matt Stairs' long home run and an effective night by their bullpen into a 5-3 victory Monday that at least temporarily cooled off the Astros.
The Astros had won five straight and 10 of 11, yet have dropped five of seven to the Pirates since July 4. They've lost four straight in Pittsburgh, tying their longest losing streak there in 10 years.
When the Astros were swept in a three-game series July 4-6 in PNC Park, manager Jimy Williams explained it by saying, "Every dog has his day."
Now, despite being eight games under .500, the Pirates are trying to prove to their own management it can still be their year.
Not contenders
On Sunday, general manager Dave Littlefield said he's seen no real sign the Pirates can become contenders and, in effect, must start looking toward the future.
His comments came just after he traded All-Star reliever Mike Williams to Philadelphia.
Stairs took notice of the remarks, which some Pirates players took as a sign the GM has given up on this season and is looking to rebuild.
"We'd like to beat them again, get to 71/2 out and put some pressure on the front office ... show that we can get back in the race," Stairs said.
Tim Redding (6-9) gave the Pirates a head start on their seventh victory in their last nine home games, giving up five runs in 21/3 innings as Pittsburgh opened a 5-1 lead.
Stairs and Jack Wilson had run-scoring singles and Brian Giles had an RBI double in the first.
Kerplunk!
Jason Kendall, who has a 23-game hitting streak, singled in a run in the second, and Stairs hit a solo homer to right-center in the third. The homer bounced into the Allegheny River and was estimated at 461 feet, the Pirates' longest this season.
Houston's bullpen pitched 52/3 scoreless innings after Redding was lifted, but Pirates starter Josh Fogg (6-4) and three relievers made the lead stand up.
Still, Houston was within a base hit of tying it after Brad Ausmus singled and Craig Biggio doubled in the ninth.
Mike Lincoln, getting his second save in as many days following the trade, got Geoff Blum on a fly ball to end it.
"We had a chance in the ninth," Jeff Bagwell said. "We have confidence as an offense, but we didn't get enough runs today to pick up the pitching staff." Bagwell hit his 401st career homer and third in two days in the sixth, and Jeff Kent followed with his 13th homer.
But Julian Tavarez replaced Fogg to pitch 12/3 scoreless innings, Scott Sauerbeck got three outs in the eighth and Lincoln finished.
"We don't have any roles anymore in the bullpen, not with Mike gone," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "But I feel very comfortable with all of them in any situation."